Samuel l



(No Model.) -l S. L. PHILLIPS.

TRAVBLING- CONTACT FOR UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC RAILWAYS.

No, 562,484. l Pett-@nimJune 23, 18961 wlTN EssEs INVENTOR A. f fMagg/2% MDREW. alanAnm. Pnm'o-umawnsm News, pm

`thereon, which form a part of this specificaapplied thereto.A Fig. 3 isa transverse sec- IINrTED STATES PATENT CFFICE.

SAMUEL L. PHILLIPS, `OF IVASHINGTCN, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

TRAVELING CONTACT FOR` UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC VRAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 562,484, dated June 23,1896.

Application filed January 2l, 1896.

Serial No. 576,325. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may con/cern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL L. PHILLIPS, a citizen of the United States,residing at fashington, District of Columbia, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Electric-Railway Plows or Traveling Contactsand Coverings or Protectors for Same; `and I do1 declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exalt descriptionof the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains `to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to thefigures of reference marked tion.

Illy invention relates to traveling contacts or plows for undergroundelectric -railway systems, and more particularly to improved meansfoi-insulating and protecting the plow from dampness, mud, dac.

The invention consists of an inclosing insulating-cover, as describedhereinafter, and in the combination of such cover with the plow andcontact shoes or wheels, whereby the construction of the plow issimplified, and an effective yielding contact of the shoes or wheelswith the conduit-conductors assured.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the type ofplow to which my improvements are adapted. Fig. 2 is a similar view ofthe plow with my improvements tion on the line a; x of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 isa view of the device, showing the use of coiled springs in connectiontherewith. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the device in which thecushioning-springs shown in the other figures are omitted or removed,the elasticity of the rubber or gutta-percha insulating-cover serving asa spring; and Fig. 6 is a detail crosssectional view illustrating amodiiied form of grooves or slots in the depending bars to receive thefree ends of the elliptical springs.

The plow comprises the frame-plates 1, depending plates or bars 2,cross-bars 3, and central lower plate or bar 4. The wire conductors 5and 6, leading from the contactshoes 7 to the motor on the car, (notshown,) are preferably supported in vertical grooves 8 of the dependingbars 2 and lower plate 4,

and clamped or secured by strips 9, held removably by bolts 10.

The numeral llindicates an inclosing casing or cover ofvulcanite,rubber, or equivalent insulating material. The cover is preferably ovalin general contour, closed at its ends and bottom, and open at its topto receive the lower end of the plow, as shown. While Ido not limitmyself to the exact form illustrated in the drawings, I preferably con-6o struct the casing or cover of a single piece of material, adapted toneatly inclosethe lower portion of the plow, and secure its upper edges12 by clamping them to the plow by means of the removable cross-bars 3.`At diametrically opposite points the cover 11 is formed with openings13 to receive the contact-shoes 7. While it is obvious that the form orshape of the shoes may be varied, I regard the form shown in thedrawings as well 7o adapted to the purpose, each shoe comprising aninner plate 14 and an outer plate 15 of substantially oval form,connected by a shank 16. The annular spaces 17 around the Shanks 16constitute seats for the portions of ,7 5 the Gower surrounding theopenings 13. I-Iowever, if desired, the contact-shoe may consist of ametal plate suitably secured to thecover or wheels projected from saidcover.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 3 I have shown each of 8o the shoes 7 provided withan elliptical spring 18, secured by screws 19, passing through thesprings and through insulating-plates 20, interposed between the shoesand springs and entering the shoes, as shown. The free or loose ends 21of the springs bear upon opposite sides of the plates 2, said platesbeing suitably recessed, notched, or slotted at the 'points 22 to limitthe spread of the springs, and atthe `same time to prevent displace- 9oment and retain them in their proper position.l

It will be understood that the contact-shoes 7 are supported by theirconnection with the cover 11, and by means of the springs 13 they arepermitted to yield in rounding curves, as is necessary in service.

In Fig. 4 I have substituted coil-springs 23 for the elliptical springs18 shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The outer ends of the coil-springs aresuitably secured to the shoes, or to the insuzoo lating-plates 20',while their inner ends are properly secured to the centralconnectingplate 4 of the plow, which is preferably made of materialwhich is a non-conductor of electricity.

It will be understood that the coil-springs, as shown in Fig. 4, are sosecured that the same cannot be displaced by the weight or drag of thetraveling contact shoe or wheels. It will be apparent that the functionof these springs 23 is similar to that of the springs 18, and theemployment of the coil-springs obviates the necessity of notching theplow, as shown in Fig. l. Y

In Fig. 5 of the drawings it will be seen that the springs shown inFigs. 3 and l are omitted, the required yielding movement of the shoesdepending entirely uponthe resiliency of the insulating-cover l1. lnthis instance the inclosin g cover is made of rubber or other materialcombining the required resiliency with sufficient rigidity to insure aproper Contact of the shoes with the conduitconductors. y

In Fig. 6 will be seen an illustration of a modified form of grooves orslots 22', in the depending bars 2 of the plow, to receive the free orloose ends of the elliptical springs.

These grooves or slots are so constructed and arranged that, while theends of the springs may freely contract and expand, they are retained intheir correct position and cannot be displaced by the weight or drag ofthe contact-shoes.

The conducting-wires 5 and G are connected with the shoes 7 in the usualmanner to supply current to the car-motor from the conductors ofopposite polarity supported within the conduit. Y

The cover ll effectually protects and insulates the lower portion of theplow and reduces to the minimum the leakage of current and thedeleterious effect of moisture, mud, and water. y

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination with a plow or traveling contact for undergroundrailway systems, of an insulating-cover fully inclosing the lowerportion of the plow proper, an d provided with openings in each side ofsaid cover through which the contacts project, substantially as shownand described.

2. The combination with a plow or traveling contact, of a cover ofinsulating material provided on opposite sides with openings, andyielding contacts secured in or projected from said openin gs,substantiallyT as shown and described.

3. The combination with a plow or traveling contact, of a cover ofinsulating material provided on opposite sides with openings,contact-shoes secured in or projected from said openings, and springsinterposed between the plow and contact-shoes, substantiall y as shownand described.

4t. The combination with a plow or traveling contact, of a cover ofinsulating material closed at its ends to inclose the lower portion ofthe plow, and clamping-plates for firmly securing the upper edges ofsaid cover to the plow, substantially as shown and described.

5. The combination with a plow or traveling contact, of aninsulating-cover provided with contact-shoes, and serving as a springand support for said shoes, substantially as shown and described.

6. Thecombination with a plow or traveling contact, of aninsulating-cover provided with openings, and yielding contact-shoes,each comprising an inner and an outer plate connected together andiitting within the openings of the cover, substantially as shown anddescribed. ,Y

7. The combination with a plow or traveling contact, of aninsulating-cover of flexible material and contact-shoes yieldinglysupported by said cover, substantially as shown and described.

8. The combination with a plow or traveling contact, recessed or notchedon opposite side faces, of an insulating casing or cover inclosing thelower portion of the plow, contact-shoes extending through openings insaid cover, and springs secured to said shoes but insulated therefrom,the ends of said springs having a sliding bearing upon the plow,substantially as shown and described.

9. The combination with a plow or traveling contact, recessed or notchedon opposite side faces, of an elliptical spring having free ends whichhave a sliding bearing and rest in the recess or notch in the side faceof thc plow, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

ln testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

v SAMUEL L. PHILLlPS.

Witnesses: v

J. FRED. KELLEY, CARRIE L. ACKER.

IOO

